The five-metre-high inflatable, aptly named the Inflatable Refugee, depicts a refugee, crouched and wearing a life jacket. He will set sail on the Yarra on Saturday, June 17 at 11am. The inflatable will then be displayed in the Long Room of the museum from June 19 to 25.

The inflatable refugee has travelled around the Europe — from Venice, to Copenhagen to Uppsala — raising awareness for the journey of many millions of people currently seeking asylum around the world. After its stint in Melbourne, the installation will move on to other destinations worldwide. In tandem, the project Moving Stories encourages refugees to write stories to their fellow citizens which collate on their website. The artists are also partnering to with No Vacancy Gallery for a series of public interventions and interactive exhibitions.

Schellekens and Peleman will be giving a timely talk on their practice and motivations for developing the Inflatable Refugee Global Art Project at the Immigration Museum at 2pm on Sunday, June 18.